Although many small companies and their advisers neglect the maintenance of the statutory company register it is advantageous to keep it up to date and check it at least once a year.

Aside from the basic legal obligation within the Companies Act to maintain the register there are practical benefits such as:

• Verification of dates
• Corroboration of transactions
• Confirmation of shareholdings
• Confirmation of appointments
• It may be required by HM Revenue
• It could be required as evidence in court
• It is a safe place to keep minutes of meetings
• It records changes made to Memorandum & Articles